Mini cars have always had a mischievous charm. Despite their modest proportions, models like the MINI Cooper or the Fiat Topolino project a personality that feels far bigger than their footprint. In cities crowded with traffic and narrow streets, that compactness is no longer a compromise but a real advantage. Easy maneuvering, effortless parking, and a sense of playfulness turn small cars into surprisingly desirable machines.
Designer Wini Camacho pushes this idea further by using the Fiat Topolino as a starting point for a radically flexible concept called the Topolino XS. Rather than locking the car into a single body style, Camacho imagines a modular mini vehicle that adapts to the driver’s mood and purpose. In one configuration, it becomes a roofless targa suited for relaxed daytime cruising. Swap components and it transforms into a closed coupe for evening drives, or a stripped-back roadster for spirited nighttime runs. Despite this three-in-one approach, the design stays clean and restrained, staying true to a minimalist philosophy.
The Topolino XS keeps the recognizable DNA of a mini hatchback while refining proportions for a smoother, more fluid silhouette. The front and rear are visually balanced, giving the car a planted stance without adding bulk. Overall dimensions shrink even further than the already compact Topolino, measuring just 2.4 meters in length and 1.4 meters in width. As an electric vehicle concept, this compact footprint feels intentional rather than limiting.
Lighting plays a key role in giving the XS its character. The headlights appear almost expressive, resembling a pair of eyes formed by circular elements framed with white LED outlines. At the rear, the taillights consist of hundreds of tiny LEDs that can be customized by the driver, allowing the car’s personality to change at the push of a button.
Inside, the design takes an unconventional turn with a centrally positioned steering wheel hub. This layout centralizes controls, instruments, and safety features, reinforcing the idea of balance and simplicity. In such a small vehicle, the setup feels natural rather than intrusive, unlike in large luxury or performance cars where central steering would disrupt ergonomics. Displays are kept to a bare minimum, aligning with the wireframe, less-is-more approach that defines the entire concept.
To broaden its appeal, Camacho envisions the Topolino XS in two distinct personalities. The PURO version focuses on everyday usability, offering sensible performance and even a rear luggage accessory for practical daily driving. The ABARATH variant, by contrast, leans fully into excitement. It features increased performance for weekend thrills and adopts a far more aggressive visual identity, finished in glossy black with striking red wheel rims.
The Topolino XS is less about raw numbers and more about rethinking what a mini car can be. By blending modular design, expressive details, and electric simplicity, it presents a future where small cars are not just practical city tools, but adaptable machines with genuine attitude.
